Colorful text design that reads 'Design for Good' with each word on a painted brush stroke background in yellow, pink, and blue.

catalyst

for change

A diverse group of seven people in a creative meeting room with big windows. Five individuals are seated around a table with laptops, notebooks, and colorful sticky notes. Two people are standing at a whiteboard filled with colorful sticky notes and drawings, discussing ideas for creating change and community impact.

In partnership with the Design Museum of Chicago and [alt_], Justice in Residence’s annual flagship design competition brings together emerging designers, movement organizations, and design agencies to design for good.
Catalyst for Change (C4C) challenges emerging designers to use creativity to address real community issues. Through mentorship, collaboration, and resources, designers turn ideas into impactful campaigns that inspire action and drive systems change.
EMERGING DESIGNERS
Students and early-career creatives passionate about using design to make an impact.
MOVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS
Community-based organizations who bring real issues, insight, and collaboration.
DESIGN AGENCIES
Creative professionals and firms who mentor, provide feedback, and invest in the next generation.
RESOURCE FAIR for networking, portfolio and résumé reviews, career resources, and opportunities to build relationships across the creative community.
MENTOR WALKTHROUGHS and COLLABORATION across generations and sectors.
Rapid DESIGN SPRINTS to generate bold, community-centered ideas.
Team presentations to a panel of expert JUDGES from design, nonprofit, education, and civic leadership.
AWARDS celebrating innovation, social impact, and emerging talent.
We are seeking tech and design agencies to help inspire and support the next generation of designers.
Your team can make a lasting impact by:
- Mentoring a team during the competition.
- Providing portfolio reviews and career guidance.
- Offering internship opportunities.
- Hosting a table at the event to connect talented, passionate participants.
Contact info@justiceinresidence.org to get involved.

FEATURING DJ

saturday

Yellow calculator icon on black background.

OCTOBER 24, 2026

[ALT_] CHICAGO

5645 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60644

REGISTRATION & NETWORKING

Blue and black circular no smoking symbol on a black background.

12:00 - 4:00 PM

DESIGN COMPETITION & AWARDS

Yellow outlined trophy with a star inside and a ribbon on top.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

OUR JUDGES

Nubia S. Henderson

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
NeoCon
Nubia S. Henderson is an Executive Producer whose 25-year career spans media, nonprofit leadership, education, and design. She currently directs NeoCon's year-round platform and champions diverse voices and emerging talent in commercial interiors. She serves on the boards of AIA Chicago Foundation, Designing a Better Chicago, and Hip Hop by Design.
RICHARD WALLACE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Equity and Transformation (EAT)
Richard Wallace is an author, economic and racial justice advocate, and Founder and Executive Director of Equity and Transformation (EAT), a Chicago nonprofit by and for formerly incarcerated people. A Soros Justice Fellow, he has advanced guaranteed income and drug war reparations, insisting descendants of the enslaved hold authority over repair.
SHILPI KUMAR

CEO
Khoj Lab
Shilpi Kumar is a design strategist and founder of Khoj Lab, with 20+ years driving innovation and business growth for organizations like GE Transportation Digital and Herman Miller. She specializes in uncovering actionable insights, aligning business priorities with customer needs, and turning bold ideas into measurable results through inclusive, human-centered design.
UTHMAN OLOWA

PROJECT MANAGER
McKissack & McKissack
Uthman is an architectural designer who creates spaces that affirm the cultural identities of Black and Brown communities. He holds an M.Arch from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Mechanical Engineering degree from Binghamton University. He is a Project Manager at McKissack & McKissack and teaches architecture studios at UIC.
LEANNE WAGNER

DIRECTOR, PROFESSOR UX
DePaul University
LeAnne Wagner is a professor in DePaul University’s School of Design and Director of PUSH Studio and the SPARK Center. Her work advances human-centered design, emerging technology, data visualization, and predictive analytics to foster equitable futures and address social impact challenges.
DAVID SALKIN

MUSEUM DIRECTOR
Design Museum of Chicago
David Salkin is the newly appointed Executive Director of the Design Museum of Chicago. For the past decade, Salkin has led his Chicago-based West Town studio, David Salkin Creative, where his surface-design practice has included custom textile production, exhibition/graphic design and an education-forward Art&Design exhibition program.